Malawi’s Presidential Race: Key Candidates and What’s at Stake

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1318 EAT on Tuesday 16 September 2025

Malawians are heading to the polls to elect their next president amid a deepening economic crisis in one of Africa’s poorest and most climate-vulnerable countries.

The small Southeast African nation has been grappling with double-digit inflation, driving food prices to unprecedented highs for several months. This economic strain follows severe droughts last year, which compounded existing challenges. In 2023, Cyclone Freddy struck the region with devastating force, hitting Malawi hardest—claiming over 1,200 lives and destroying countless livelihoods.

Against this backdrop of economic hardship and climate-related disasters, the presidential election has taken on heightened significance. Voters are seeking leadership capable of stabilizing the economy, addressing food insecurity, and improving resilience to future climate shocks. The contest is also seen as a test of Malawi’s democratic institutions, following years of political tension and protests over governance and electoral processes.

Key candidates in the race include the incumbent, who faces criticism over economic management and handling of recent crises, and opposition figures promising reforms and renewed focus on social welfare and development. The outcome will have far-reaching implications not only for Malawi’s domestic policies but also for regional stability in Southern Africa.

With millions of Malawians hoping for change, the stakes could not be higher as the country navigates a crossroads between crisis and opportunity.

In Tuesday’s election, Malawians are not only voting for their next president but also electing parliamentarians and local councillors across 35 local government areas.

Malawi is renowned for its stunning tourist attractions, including Lake Malawi—Africa’s third-largest freshwater lake—as well as its diverse nature reserves and wildlife parks.

The country has a population of approximately 21.6 million people. Lilongwe serves as the capital city, while Blantyre is the commercial and industrial hub.

The elections began on Tuesday morning and are set to conclude by evening.

According to the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC), approximately 7.2 million people are registered to vote across 35 local government authorities.

To win the presidency, a candidate must secure more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate achieves this majority, a runoff election will be held. Presidential results are expected to be announced by September 24.

In addition to the presidential race, voters will elect 299 members of parliament representing constituencies nationwide, as well as 509 local councillors. Parliamentary results are scheduled for release by September 30

Seventeen candidates are contesting the presidential election, but the race is widely seen as a showdown between incumbent President Lazarus Chakwera and former leader Peter Mutharika.

The former preacher’s victory in 2020 was historic, following a landmark court ruling that annulled the 2019 election due to irregularities and ordered a rerun. Chakwera’s win in that second election marked the first time in African history that an opposition candidate secured victory through a rerun.

However, his tenure has faced significant challenges, including soaring inflation and recent fuel shortages. Chakwera has also been the subject of numerous corruption allegations, particularly nepotism. In 2021, he drew criticism for appointing his daughter, Violet Chakwera Mwasinga, as a diplomat to Brussels.

During his campaigns, Chakwera has requested more time to address the country’s economic stagnation. He and government officials have attributed some of the difficulties to last year’s severe drought, a cholera outbreak between 2022 and 2024, and the widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Freddy.

Supporters highlight Chakwera’s achievements, including major road infrastructure projects across Malawi and the revival of train services after more than three decades.

Reporting by Al Jazeera.

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